Frank's heart was still pounding an hour later when everyone had finished their food and was ready to go home. Reluctantly, he let go of Stephen's hand, feeling the loss of warmth and pressure like a blow to his soul. They stood up and walked with everyone else through the now deserted and darkening corridors.

He may be acting casual but Frank's mind was racing. What would happen now? What would Stephen expect? What even were they?

I mean, they were going on a datey thing – at least Frank had assumed it was a datey thing; what if Stephen had thought it was just as, you know, friends? But then he wouldn't have said… whatever – they were going to the football together, and they had kissed – and he'd fucking liked it – but did this mean they were… like together? Like boyfriends? Would Stephen expect him to text him and send him bunches of flowers and boxes of chocolates? He'd never been in a relationship before – like he'd got with people, but he'd never been in a proper relationship; he'd never really wanted to…

He'd never been in the position where he wanted to hold onto someone's hand and never let go.

Never felt the need to make someone smile so strongly that he quite literally would do anything.

Never had his brain practically explode from just one look, one touch, one word.

It was fucking terrifying.

And yet it felt so good.

He was still caught up in this torrent of thought when suddenly, he felt someone grab him and pull him to the side into a joining corridor. On instinct, he yanked his arm away and shaped a fist, always on the defensive attack, only to find himself face to face with Stephen.

He blushed bright red, embarrassed, but Stephen just laughed at him.

Which was strange.

Because usually when someone laughed at him, it made him want to punch the bastard in the face.

But when Stephen laughed at him, it made him want to laugh too – to stroke his cheek and caress his lips in that perfect smile. And then pull him in and…. Stop it, brain, focus.

He allowed himself to grin ashamedly in return.

"You're so cute, babes." Stephen giggled.

Frank started to protest cos no he wasn't cute, he was you know manly and tough and hot and stuff.

But then Stephen leant forwards and pressed his lips against Frank's and suddenly it didn't matter.

It started off soft and gentle, more like a careful brush of skin against lips than anything else.

Not that it wasn't still electrifying.

But then Stephen pushed him up against the wall of the corridor and Frank found himself grabbing at his waist and hell broke loose.

It probably literally could have for all Frank knew.

He pulled Stephen's body flush against his own, allowing Stephen to open his mouth and introduce his tongue. And a damn fine fellow he was too. Frank felt an involuntary groan shudder through his body as Stephen licked and nipped at Frank's tongue; mouths dancing like fiery flames against each other. He spun the pair around, gaining more control, and breaking their lips apart to instead decorate Stephen's neck and collar bone with peppered kisses. He found a particular spot just at the base of his neck which made him squirm so he sucked at it a little, and felt Stephen shiver. So then he bit down just a tad, and received a moan. He continued working that little patch of skin until he felt it had been suitably marked and could feel it rising under his mouth.

He had no idea he could get so turned on from giving a hickey, and then seeing it bloom, marking out that person as his own. He also didn't realise how many different noises Stephen could make and still sound incredibly hot in every single one. He pulled back for a second, just to admire him, all breathless and flushing, before capturing his lips once again.

Usually, when Frank was kissing a chick, he was aware of every minute of it and was constantly having to think about what to do – where to put his hands, what to do with his tongue, what noises to make. But with Stephen, it all just sort of happened and he couldn't think at all because his brain was so preoccupied with the general feeling of it all, of Stephen, that there was no space for thoughts.

Gradually, however, they became aware that they should probably stop because breathing was apparently important for human survival.

They pulled apart and just stared at each other… and Frank realised that was all he needed in that moment. And that was even stranger in a way because he had been craving his touch and pining for his body, but now all he wanted was his… presence? Just the knowledge that he was there, with Frank. Just the sight of him so close and so happy and so perfect.

Simultaneously, it seemed, they sighed. Then smiled. Then laughed.

"Perhaps it would be better if we didn't, you know, tell everyone just yet." Frank suggested, slightly awkwardly, with his voice only a tiny bit shaky. He coughed to try and cover up the effect this was all having on him.

"No trouble, babes. I mean, they might think something's up, you know you did just kiss me in front of the entire school, but we can keep it on the low down if you want." Stephen garbled, apparently just as affected as Frank. "I mean, it doesn't matter to me, just whatever you want. I'm quite content with just having you and no one else needs to know, I mean it doesn't matter. I mean, obviously it does, but, you know, I'm chilled. You know, it could even be fun, pretending nothing's up and then bam… or you know whatever. Ahah." Then he trailed off, flushing slightly.

"Stephen Carmichael, are you rambling?"

"No! I mean, maybe er…." Stephen's cheeks darkened which gave Frank confidence.

"You're so cute." He quoted. Before leaning in for a playful peck.

Slowly, they turned together, and walked down the corridor together. They walked out the front doors together, some of the people who were hanging round for parents after the dinner giving them funny looks, but Frank just glared at them and they glances away.

They walked a little bit down the road before Stephen pulled to a stop and said "This is my bus stop."

Frank hesitated.

"Erm." He said, oh so eloquent as always. "I guess I'll see you Saturday for the game."

"Yeh, er," Stephen, head drama queen, social media ruler and public speaker for England, seemed at a loss for words too. "See you then."

Frank paused and then turned to walk away slowly. He took a few steps, already feeling his spirits sinking.

"Frank!" he heard suddenly, feeling someone grab his hand, and turned instantly, delighted. "Merry Christmas."

Stephen was right there as he turned and pressed his lips against Frank's. This kiss was different to the previous ones; it wasn't nervous or passionate, it was emotional and loving almost?

Frank smiled as they pulled apart. "Merry Christmas."

Then he smiled again before turning and walking down the road, more cheerfully this time, glancing over his shoulder to grin at Stephen, who blew a kiss and flung a wink in return.

It was only when he was half-way down the road did he realise that he now held something pressed into the palm of his hand that Stephen had grabbed. It was a scrap of paper – possibly a red napkin – which had a number scrawled on it in what looked like eyeliner, next to a tiny little drawing of a winking robotic doll.

So! There we go! C'est fini! I hope you enjoyed and more graymichael fics to come so don't you fret! Sorry this last chapter was a bit naff, I just wanted to end the day nicely and wrap it all up (and perhaps explain why there is no hint of them for most of season 3)! But there we go!